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Distribution and Character of Karst in the Lao Pdr

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 00:04 authored by Kiernan, K
The extensive karst areas of the Lao PDR are poorly documented but are known to include extensive limestone mountain plateaus; isolated ridges including towerkarst; hillslopes that are locally underlain by limestone; and alluvium-covered limestone plains. Palaeokarst phenomena attest to a very long history of karstification while sediments in some caves offer insight into environmental change during the Quaternary. Limited financial and technical resources, political factors and the dangers posed by massive volumes of unexploded ordnance that remain after decades of war are major impediments to karst area documentation, analysis, planning and management. Assessment of karst extent based on aerial photographs and other remote sensing techniques is complicated by very extensive pseudokarst formed due to bombardment during past military conficts, including hundreds of thousands of closed depressions formed in both carbonate and non-carbonate rocks. Notwithstanding such practical diffculties, the extent and importance of the karst is such that improved inventory at the national, provincial and local levels is required if satisfactory environmental management and sustainable social and economic development are to be achieved.

History

Publication title

Acta Carsologica

Volume

38

Pagination

65-81

ISSN

0583-6050

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Publisher

Slovenian Academy Of Sciences And Arts , Scientific Research Center of The Slovenian Academy Of Sciences And Arts

Place of publication

Slovenia

Rights statement

© 2009 Geoscience e-Journals

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

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